Remote control for vane positioner



April 25, 1961 H. DICKINSON REMOTE CONTROL FOR VANE' POSITIONER 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1958 5 MW W T5 N ww e WW w iv H April 25,1961 H. DICKINSON REMOTE CONTROL FOR VANE POSITIONER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 5, 1958 April 25, 1961 H. DICKINSON REMOTE CONTROL FOR VANEPOSITIONER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1958 0 f n w H United Statesatent iiiice 2,980,970 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 REMOTE CONTROL FOR VANEPOSITIONER Horace Dickinson, South Gate, Calif., assignor to LemlarManufacturing Company, Inc., Gardena, Califi, a corporation ofCalifornia Filed May 5, 1958, Ser. No. 733,061

4 Claims. (Cl. 20-62) This invention relates to a remote control unitfor the vane positioner of a vertical jalousie, and more particularly toa device of the type described which can be made automatic so as toposition the vanes of the jalousie in accordance with the time of day,may be made manual so as to position the vanes of the jalousie in anyposition desired regardless of the time of day and which has anautomatic over-riding device for automatically positioning the vanes infull open position when the light registered on a photocell drops belowa minimum value and which will correctly position vanes to excludedirect sunlight if the sky brightness increases above an adjustablepredetermined value, or if the manual switch is returned to theautomatic position.

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide adevice which will perform the foregoing functions.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device which ispositive in action and simple and economic of construction.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the annexed specification in which:

Figure 1 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity ofillustration of the clock control unit;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the motor drive unit;

Figure 3 is a side view of the motor drive unit;

Figure 4 is a left end view of the motor drive unit; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit involved.

Referring now more particularly to Figure l, a 24 hour electric clock isarranged to drive a cam 11 while a pivoted arm 12 carries a cam follower13 adapted to follow the cam 11 and thus position a gear sector 14formed upon the free end of the arm 12 which through pinion 15 controlsthe slider of a potentiometer 16.

The clock control unit includes also a transformer 17, a seleniumrectifier 18, a relay 19, resistors and 21 and terminal strips 22 and23. The wiring has been omitted from Figure 1 for clarity ofillustration.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the motor driveunit is seen as including a motor 24, a gear reduction box 25 driving ashaft 26 carrying a gear 27 meshing with a gear 28 which in turn drivesa Worm 29, which worm drives a gear 30 which turns a shaft 31 connectedto the slider of potentiometer 32. The shaft 26 is connected through auniversal joint 26A to a shaft 2613 which is connected to the vanesfor'moving the same between fully open and fully closed positions. Ahousing 33 is provided for the hereinafter described sensitive relaysand rectifiers, and overload circuit breaker 34 is also provided. Again,the electrical wiring has been eliminated for clarity of illustration.

The complete system is illustrated in'Figure 5 and as shown therein, theA.CE. drive motor 24 is mechanically coupled to position the sun vanesindicated at 35 and also the slider or tap 36 of potentiometerresistance 32, the mechanical connections for accomplishing the samebeing indicated by the dotted lines 38 and 39. The slider or tap 40 onthe other resistance 16 is positioned by the motor driven cam 11 throughthe mechanical connection indicated by the dotted line 42. The cam 11 isdriven by the clock motor 10 which is a synchronous motor energized bythe A.C. source 44. This means that the position of tap or slider 40 istime controlled. The shape of the cam 11 is such as p to produce thecorrect vane position versus time relation according to the elevation,latitude and other conditions existing at the locality where the sunvanes 35 are installed.

The resistances 32 and 16 are connected in a selfbalancing Wheatstonetype bridge circuit and such bridge circuit is energized with a DC.control voltage which is applied at the terminals 46 and 47, theterminal 46 being positive and the terminal 47 being negative. Such DC.control voltage is developed by rectifying the voltage from the A.C.source 48, using the rectifier 18.

The resistance 32 has its outside terminals connected respectively tothe terminals 46 and 47 whereas the outside terminals of resistance 16are 'connectable to the same terminals 46 and 47 through contacts 50 and51, respectively, of single pole-double throw relay switches 52 and '53,such switches 52 and 53 being operated by the associated relay windingof relay 19.

Resistanccs 20' and 21 are connected in series between the other relaycontacts 54 and 55 and the junction point of these resistances 20 and 21is connected to tap 40.

It will be observed that the relay switches 52 and 53 thus serve toconnect either resistance 16 or the series connected resistances 20 and21 in a bridge circuit with resistance 32, since the movable arms ofswitches 52 and 53 are connected respectively to terminals 46 and 47. v

The motor 24 is controlled in accordance with the unbalanced Voltageexisting between taps 36 and 40. For this purpose, a pair of polarizedrelays 58 and 59 are provided, polarization being effected by the use ofdiodes 6t) and 61.

The junction point of the relay windings 62 and 63 is connected to thetap 40 through the manually operated two-position switch 64. Oneterminal of winding 62 is connected through diode 60 and limit switch 66to the tap 36; and, similarly, one terminal of winding 63 is connectedthrough diode 61 and limit switch 67 to the tap 36. These limit switches66 and 67 are normally closed switches but are opened upon operati-on ofthe motor 24 at extreme limits of travel of the sun vanes 35. The manualmeans for operating such switches 66 and 67 is indicated by the dottedlines 68 and 69.

The polarized relays 58 and 59 selectively control the starting anddirection of rotation of the motor 24 by controlling the energization ofcorresponding relays 70 and 71. Relay 58 has its normally open switch 72connected between the positive terminal 46 and one terminal of thewinding of relay 70, the other terminal of such winding being connectedto terminal 47. Similarly, the normally open relay switch 73 of relay 59is connected between the positive terminal 46 and one terminal of thewindingof relay 71, the other terminal of such winding being connectedto the negative terminal 47.

The driving motor 24 has two windings 24A and 24B, winding 24A being areversible field winding and the winding 248 being .the armature windingof an A.C. motor. The field winding 24Ais selectively energized from theA.C. source 74 by relays 70 and 71 for controlling the direction ofrotation of the motor 24. age is obtained from a source 74.

Normally, the motor 24 is tie-energized as shown. When the relay 7i; isenergized, the motor rotates in one direction with current flowingthrough the field winding 24A, through the following circuit: From oneterminal of source '74, through relay switch 70A, through winding 24A,through relay switch 703, through the normally closed relay switch 71A,th ough the relay switch 76C and to the other terminal of source 74.Also, the armature winding 24B is energized through the following path:From one terminal of source '74, through armature winding 245, throughthe normally closed relay switch 71A, through relay switch 76C, and tothe other terminal of source '74.

Similarly when relay '71 is energized, the motor rotates The AC. voltinthe opposite direction with current flowing through the motor winding243, through relay switch 713, through switch "791) and to the otherterminal of source 74. At the same time, current flows through the fieldwinding 24A, through the following path: From one terminal of source'74, through the relay switch 71C, through field winding 7AA, throughrelay switch 71D, through relay switch 71B, through relay switch MD andto the other t rminal of source 7 Relays 7t} and 71, respectively,control the directions of rotation of motor 24.

in automatic operation of the system, the clock motor it changes theposition of the tap at to efiect an unbalance of the bridge comprisingthe ditferent sections of resistances 16 and 32. In other words, thevoltage between the taps 36 and 4d are no longer equal and when thevoltage on tap 36 becomes more positive than the voltage on top 4%, tiepolarized relay SS is energized to, in turn, energize relay 7% throughswitch '72. The motor 24 is then energized to repositon the tap 36, suchthat the bridge again becomes balanced.

in this bridge balancing process, the sun vanes 35 are moved to adifferent position determined by the position of cam 11. Similarly, whenthe voltage on tap 4 is positive with respect to the voltage on tap 36,the other polarized relay is energized to, in turn, energize the relay'73 through relay switch '73. Consequently, the motor 24 rotates in theopposite direction to reposition the tap 36 to again balance the bridge;and in this bridge balancing operation, the sun vanes 35 are moved inthe opposite direction.

in order to achieve manual operation, the bridge circuit is renderedincifective by manually moving the switch 64 to its other position wherein the switch arm engages the contact MA. By then manually moving theswitch arm 76 from its neutral position to engagement with either theswitch contact 76A or 753, the motor 24 is rotated to either open orclose the vanes 35. Thus, when the switch arm '76 is moved from itsneutral position to engagement Withthe contact 75A, the relay 59'isenergized through the following circuit: From the positive terminalthrough switch contact 75A, through switch contact 64A, through winding63, diode 6i, switch 6'7, tap 35, the

lower section of r istance 52 and to the negative terminal ii, tothereby energize the motor relay 71 and produce movement of the vanes 35in one direction. When the vanes reach their extreme position, the limitswitch 67 is automatic iy open, thereby interrupting the energizingcircuit of relay 59 and causing de-energizaiton of the Likewise, whenthe switch arm 76 is moved a position in engagement with contact 763,the es are moved in the opposite direction because the or relay 58 isthen energized through the following circuit whi through the uppersection of resistance 32, through tap- 3%, through the other limitswitch 66,, through diode 6'3, through relay winding 62., through switchcontacts 64A and iB-and to the negativeterminal 47. Movement of thevanes 35 is thus the opposite direction because of extends from thepositive terminal i -6,

4 the resulting energization of motor relay 7%. Movement of the vanes 35may be continued to the other extreme position, at which time the limitswitch 66 is opened, thereby interrupting the previously describedenergization circuit and the motor comes to rest.

Instead of using a motor driven cam 11 to efliect positioning or" thevanes 35 as previously described, the vanes 35 may be positioned inaccordance with light intensity, using for that purpose, photocell 90,the output of which is ampl'iied in amplifier 9i and then applied to thewinding of relay 3%). When relay 3% is energized, a difierent bridgecircuit is formed by substituting the series connected resistances 26'and 21 for resistance 16. Usually, the photoelectric cell 9a issoconnected in the amplifier hit such that when prevailing outside lightfalls below a certain level, the relay St) is energized and the vanes 35are driven to a wide open position to admit as much light as possible.When the prevailing light increases above a certain level, the relay 3%is tie-energized and the vanes are returned to the position establishedby the tap 4t i.e., by the position of the time controlled cam 11. Therelative values of resistances 20 and 21 are selected according to thedesired vane position. For a maximum vane opening position, resistances2i and 21 are approximately of equal value. When resistances 20 and 21are in the bridge circuit instead of resistance 16, the tap 40 iseffective y connected to a voltage about halfway between zero and thefull voltage of the source represented by terminals 46 and 47. Thiscauses either relays 58 and or relays 59 and 7 i to be energized,according to the existing vane position as sensed by the tap 36. Thedrive motor will then position the vanes 35 and the tap as until thevoltage on taps 36 and 49 are approximately equal, at which time themotor 24 is de-energized.

As the sun reaches its highest point on or about 12 oclocl; noon, it isdesirous to reverse the position of the vanes, i.e. if the vanes werepositioned at 30 degrees from fully open to one side, it is desired asthe sun passes through its highest point to reverse the vanes to acomplementary position on the other side. It is extremely difiicult ifnot impossible to design a cam 11 with a sutficient rapid rise or fallto accomplish this. Accordingly, means is incorporated in this inventionaccomplishing this reversal electrically. Accordingly, a relay 100having a winding 101 is actuated by a switch 102 (see Figure 1) whichswitch is itself actuated by a peg inserted in one of the holes 163 ofthe clock face. Another peg inserted in the inner circle of holes 104will open the switch 192. When the switch 162 is closed and the relay1G9 energized, double pole switches 1G5 and 106 are actated'to reversethe polarity on the resistance 16'. If

the vanes are positioned at any other position than degrees, the vaneswill thus be caused to travel through the 90 degree position to acomplementary angle on the other side.

I claim:

l. A vane positioner for movable vanes of a jalousie comprising: ajalousie including a plurality of movable vanes; an electric motorarranged to drive a vane positioning shaft said vane positioning shaftbeing operably connected to said vanes; a bridge circuit including apair of adjustable otentiometers; clock means arranged to movably adjustthe wiper of the first potentiometer; means driven by said motor formovably adjusting the wiper of the second potentiometer; an electriccircuit includingsaid bridge, a source of direct current, a startingrelay and a reversing relay; said circuit being operable upon imbalancein said bridge to energize said motor in a direction to move the wiperof said second potentiometer'towards balancing position, whereby saidvanes are positioned in accordance with the setting of said clock means;a pair of fixed resistances in series one on each side of the wiper ofsaid first potentiometer and means for substituting said fixedresistances in said bridge whereby said vanes are driven to'a positiondetermined by the values of said fixed resistances, said last-mentionedmeans including a photoelectric cell and a relay operated by said cellwhen the light thereon falls below a set value to cause saidsubstitution.

2. A vane positioner for movable vanes of a jalousie comprising: ajalousie including a plurality of movable vanes; an electric motorarranged to drive a vane positioning shaft said vane positioning shaftbeing operably connected to said vanes; a bridge circuit including apair of adjustable potentiometers; clock means arranged to movablyadjust the wiper of the first potentiometer; means driven by said motorfor movably adjusting the wiper of the second potentiometer; an electriccircuit including said bridge, a source of direct current, a startingrelay and a reversing relay; each of said relays having a separate limitswitch associated therewith; said circuit being operable upon imbalancein said bridge to energize said motor in a direction to move the wiperof said second potentiometer towards balancing position, whereby saidvanes are positioned in accordance with the setting of said clock means;a pair of fixed resistances in series one on each side of the wiper ofsaid first potentiometer and means for substituting said fixedresistances in said bridge whereby said vanes are driven to a positiondetermined by the values of said fixed resistances,

said last-mentioned means including a photoelectric cell and a relayoperated by said cell when the light thereon falls below a set value tocause said substitution.

3. A vane positioner for movable vanes of a jalousie comprising: ajalousie including a plurality of movable vanes; an electric motorarranged to drive a vane positioning shaft said vane positioning shaftbeing operably connected to said vanes; a bridge circuit including apair of adjustable potentiometers; clock means arranged to movablyadjust the wiper of the first potentiometer; means driven by said motorfor movably adjusting the wiper of the second potentiometer; an electriccircuit including said bridge, a source of direct current, a startingrelay and a reversing relay; said circuit being operable upon imbalancein said bridge to energize said motor in a direction to move the wiperof said second potentiometer towards balancing position, whereby saidvanes are positioned in accordance with the setting of said clock means;a pair of fixed resistances in series one on each side of the wiper ofsaid first potentiometer and means for substituting said fixedresistances in said bridge whereby said vanes are driven to a positiondetermined by the values of said fixed resistances; and means forreversing the polarity of said first potentiometer to cause said vanesto move from one angle from fully open position through fully openposition and to a complementary angle on the other side of fully openposition and clock controlled means for actuating said last-mentionedmeans.

4. A vane positioner for movable vanes of a jalousie comprising: ajalousie including a plurality of movable vanes; an electric motorarranged to drive a vane positioning shaft said vane positioning shaftbeing operably connected to said vanes; a bridge circuit including apair of adjustable otentiometers; clock means arranged to movably adjustthe wiper of the first potentiometer; means driven by said motor formovably adjusting the wiper of the second potentiometer; an electriccircuit including said bridge, a source of direct current, a startingrelay and a reversing relay; each of said relays having a separate limitswitch associated therewith; said circuit being operable upon imbalancein said bridge to energize said motor in a direction to move the wiperof said second potentiometer towards balancing position, whereby saidvanes are positioned in accordance with the setting of said clock means;a pair of fixed resistances in series one on each side of the wiper ofsaid first potentiometer and means for substituting said fixedresistances in said bridge whereby said vanes are driven to a positiondetermined by the values of said fixed resistances; and means forreversing the polarity of said first potentiometer to cause said vanesto move from one angle from fully open position through fully openposition and to a complementary angle on the other side of fully openposition and clock controlled means for actuating said lastmentionedmeans.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS786,024 Gomborow Mar. 28, 1905 1,525,781 Sheppard Feb. 10, 19252,149,481 Van Bosch et al. Mar. 7, 1939

